E-Prime Epoxy Powder Primer

Ideal for perforated panels

E-Prime powder primer delivers additional protection around sharp profiles and complex shapes. It is also ideal for additional corrosion prevention on steel.

Dulux E-Prime

E-Prime™ is a epoxy modified thermosetting powder primer that provides protection around sharp profiles and complex shapes such as perforated and expanded aluminium, as well as providing additional corrosion prevention on steel.

E-Prime™ is a key component for Dulux Alumi Shield warranties on Perforated and expanded aluminium and Steel Shield™ Warranties in highly corrosive environments.

Project Types

Exterior projects (All BCA Classes)

Interior projects (All BCA Classes)

Uses

E-Prime™ can be used as a primer over a variety of substrates including steel and aluminium but is especially suited to aluminium castings, hot dipped galvanised or other porous metals.

Surfaces

Ideal for warranty grade application over:

Architectural aluminium including perforated aluminium

Mild steel, bright/semi bright steel, black steel and blue steel

E-Prime can also be used on the following metals but these are not warranted:

Galvanised steel, stainless steel, zincalume, non ferrous metals

E-Prime is not suitable for exterior use without a topcoat. It contains an epoxy component which will chalk on exterior exposure.

Technology

Modified epoxy based powder primer

Range

E-Prime

Look

Solid look

Finish

Matt

Interior or Exterior

Interior and exterior use as a basecoat only

Pre-treatment of Aluminium

Pretreatment Standards for warranty grade application

The pre-treatment process must be capable of meeting the performance outputs as described in AS3715 and AAMA-2604

Compliance to appropriate process parameters is essential in ensuring compliance to etch, conversion coating weights (time/concentration) and conductivity of the final rinse.

Etch

The etch process is a very important stage of pre-treatment and close consultation with your pre-treatment supplier is strongly recommended to ensure optimum adhesion & corrosion resistance is obtained. As an approximate guide:

An etch rate of >1gm/m2 , is recommended for E-prime projects greater than 100 metres from the coastline, but etch rate advice from pre-treatment suppliers should be taken into consideration.

An etch rate of >2gm/m2 is recommended for all E-prime projects between 10 and 100 metres from the coastline, but etch rate advice from pre-treatment suppliers should be taken into consideration.

Conversion Coatings

This is the next pre-treatment process for aluminium to ensure that it is suitably prepared for coating. It is recommended that Chrome conversion weights shall be a minimum of 431mg/m2, but advice from pre-treatment suppliers should be taken into consideration.

For Chrome pre-treatment a Supplier ‘Certificate of Analysis’ should be provided by the customer and attached to Self-Assessment Declaration.

Non Chrome conversion coatings should be applied and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

When changing from chrome to non-chrome your accreditation will require reapplication immediately. Warranty applications through this period will need to be monitored, tested and approved individually.

Final Rinse

Final rinse is to ensure optimum surface preparation prior to coating.

Final rinse water run-off from the extrusion shall have conductivity of less than 30 micro Siemens/cm.

The maximum time between pre-treatment and the application of the powder coating is 24 hours.

The entire area of the aluminium shall be properly pre-treated, appropriate spacing devices should be used.

Handling

Care should be taken with handling to ensure health and safety measures are met and that the substrate is not contaminated.

Pre-treated sections must never be handled with bare hands. Clean and lint free cotton gloves must be worn at all times when handling pre-treated sections.

Dry Off Oven (if applicable)

If your site uses a dry off oven to assist in the pre-treatment process please ensure:

The temperature of the dry off oven must be such that the temperature of the sections does not exceed 75˚C unless advised by pretreatment supplier specifications. Applicators must be able to demonstrate compliance with this specification.

Pre-treatment of Steel

Steel substrates shall be prepared as follows:
1. Wash and degrease all surfaces to be coated in accordance with AS1627.1 with a free-rinsing, alkaline detergent, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions and all safety warnings.
2. Wash with fresh potable water and ensure that all soluble salts are removed in accordance with AS 3894.6 methods A&D.
3. Grind all sharp edges with a power tool to a minimum radius of 2mm.
4. Power tool clean welds to AS1627.2 Class 2 to remove roughness. Remove filings, preferably by vacuum or compressed air.
5. Abrasive blast clean all steel surfaces to be painted in accordance with AS1627.4 to visual standard AS1627.9 Class 2.5 (equivalent to ISO8501-1, Sa 2.5: Very Thorough Blast-Cleaning). Use a medium that will generate a surface profile of 35 to 65 microns (as tested to AS3894.5 Method A.) In situations where it is not possible to prepare your item on all surfaces as described above, for long term protection against corrosion it is strongly recommended whenever possible, that an alternative substrate such as, aluminium be considered.
6. The steel is to be stored in an area which is clean and dry
7. The steel must be coated within 4 hours of blasting.

Application

Application Method

Cure Schedule

When applying subsequent coats partially cure for 3-5 minutes at 120-150°C metal temperature. This partial cure is referred to as a green cure. Refer to the E-Prime Data Sheet for full details.

Project Suitability – Perforated and Expanded Aluminium

Dulux recommend a Alumi Shield™ warranty system for both interior and exterior usage on perforated and expanded aluminium. The use of a E-prime powder primer over suitably pretreated architectural grade aluminium is mandatory in conditions of high corrosivity below a recommended top coat. Although not mandatory in other areas, the use of E-prime is also recommended for enhanced corrosion protection on perforated and expanded aluminium.

All Dulux Alumi Shield™ warranties are available when applied by a Dulux Accredited Powder Coater to a approved specification.

Use the following table to help identify the product and system choice you have for the perforated or expanded aluminium on your project. Refer to the conditions information to determine the environment that your project will be exposed to.

● Alumi Shield™ warranty available.
Fluoroset may be suitable for coastal environments <10m from the high tide line e.g. harbours (contact Dulux for advice) and is NOT suitable in strongly acidic environments so PH must be >5.
1. Fluoroset may be suitable in locations <10m from the high tide line e.g. harbours (contact Dulux for advice.)
2. Electro and Duratec are only suitable for coastal environments >10m from the high tide.
3. Duralloy and Precious are only suitable for coastal environments >100m from the high tide line.
Please refer to Interior and exterior environments close to liquids for warranty implications where powder coatings may be in close proximity to liquids other than the sea.
For more information about specifications on perforated and expanded aluminium click here.

Project Suitability – Steel

E-Prime is a key component of the Dulux Steel Shield™ warranty systems. Use the following table to help identify the product choice you have to gain a Steel Shield™ warranty on your project and where E-Prime is appropriate. Refer to the conditions information to determine the environment that your project will be exposed to.

Steel Shield™ warranties are available when applied by a Dulux Accredited Powder Coater to the warranty specification on recommended project types and conditions.
All Dulux powder product are NOT suitable in strongly acidic environments so PH must be >5.
1. Fluoroset may be suitable in locations <10m from the high tide line e.g. harbours (contact Dulux for advice.)
2. Electro and Duratec are only suitable for coastal environments >10m from the high tide.
3. Duralloy and Precious are only suitable for coastal environments >100m from the high tide line.
*Duratec Intensity – Steel Colour warranty 10 Years.
Please refer to Interior and exterior environments close to liquids for warranty implications where powder coatings may be in close proximity to liquids other than the sea.

Conditions

Use the following table which references AS4312 (atmospheric corrosivity zones in Australia) and AS3715 (Metal Finishing – Thermoset powder coatings for architectural applications of aluminium and aluminium alloys) to define the environmental conditions of your project.

*Tropical projects – It is recommended to speak to a Dulux Account Manager or call the advice line for all projects in Tropical locations.
1. Corrosion rate is for uncoated steel and is for refernce to Steel Shield warranty environments.

Interior and exterior environments close to liquids other than the sea

E-Prime suitability for environments close to liquids other than the sea is dependent on the top coat choice.
Please refer to the guidance below for:

Buildings that have exterior facilities close to liquids other than the sea, eg outdoor swimming pools, fountains, outdoor bathrooms

1. Please note chemically treated water includes antimicrobial treatments, e.g. in pools, anti-corrosive chemicals, and soapy water in
bathrooms and showers.
■ Where indicated Alumi Shield™ and Steel Shield™ warranties are available on areas >than 2m from the liquid (ie outside the splash zone.)
✓ Where indicated Alumi Shield™ and Steel Shield™ warranties are available on areas >than 5m from the liquid.
● Where indicated Alumi Shield™ and Steel Shield™ warranties are available any distance from the liquid.
All Dulux powder products are NOT suitable in strongly acidic environments so PH must be >5.
Alumi Shield™ and Steel Shield™ warranties are not available if the powder coating is immersed in any liquid.

Advice Line

Our dedicated consultants can help simplify the specification process, saving you time and money by providing the right coating advice for your project.